Cooperative cash-discount coupon



W. A. PROLE. CO OPEBATIVE CASH mscoum COUPON. APPLICATION HLED. DEC. 1, 191'5- RENEWED DEC. 8. 1919.

CASH W CUUPUN I NVENTOR Patented Feb. 24,1920.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LAND, CALIFORNIA.

D, CAIJIFQRNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 MARGARET JANE PBOLE, BOTH OF OAK- COGPERATIVE CASH-DISCOUNT COUPON.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 1, 1915, Serial No. 64,434. Renewed December 8, 1919. Serial No. 343,426.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. From, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Cooperative Cash- Discount Coupons, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a business stimulator and pertains particularly to a cooperative cash discount coupon for use in conjunction with street car transfers, counter-checks, admission tickets and the like.

The object of the invention is made ap.

parent by the expression of its nature, which is the addition of a coupon for use in whole or in part, or any designation of any railway transfer or transportation ticket or receipt, or acknowledgment of purchase, such as a counter-check or merchandise order or claim check, and making such coupon negotiable for a discount on purchases of any kind, or in payment in part or in whole of other purchases, or making the same acceptable for cash discounts or for premiums by merchants or venders of merchandise.

In its specific application to a street car transfer the object is to print upon the transfer or have attached thereto, a coupon or coupons calling for a 19'; or 2-95 credit, or any other predetermined amount, at some store or stores, or with some merchant, so that a person who pays 5 for a street car ride will receive a transfer which will, when properly used in payment of goods or merchandise at the store or stores with which the railroad has a working arrangement, make the ride in fact cost the passenger only 39%, or thereabout.

It is designed, by the adoption of such a system by the railroad companies, that the traffic which is now so heavy during the rush hours in the early morning and in the evening, will be distributed in large measure over the day, particularly by making the discount feature effective during the more quiet hours of the day, say from 10 a. m. to f p. in; the object being to stimulate shoppers to travel at these more economical periods.

Having reference to the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 shows the reverse side of a transfer or token, having a cooperative discount coupon printed thereon in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 shows a form of coupon embodying my invention and adapted to be attached to transportation, admission tickets and the like, where the latter are already in stock.

Fig. 3 shows the face side of a transfer.

A represents a transfer ticket or other token of receipt with which the present system is applicable for use. I shall only describe its specific adaptation to a transfer, as its varied uses will be obvious.

In Fig. 1 I have shown the transfer or token printed in the usual way on the face side, and with the coupon feature arranged on the back. This coupon will read somewhat as follows:

If this transfer is not used as fare for continuous passage, it may be used as a discount on any cash purchase, or each half of this transfer may be used as discount on any cash purchase at stores designated in our cooperative list of merchants. (See advertisements in cars, or ask for list) The foregoing may also be added to the face of the transfer, if desired.

In the ordinary use of this as a transfer based on a 50; fare, the coupon would call for a 2 discount on any 20 or 25 cash purchase, or one-half of the transfer may be used as a 1 discount on any 10 or 15 cash purchase; the merchant collecting say 9 for each full transfer, or qfi for each half transfer, from the transportation company. This transaction would cost the merchant about (3% on a 25 purchase, and 5% on a 15 purchase.

In Fig. 2 A represents a form of coupon to be attached to transportation or admis sion tickets, counter-checks, merchandise or ders or other form of cash receipt, wherever these tickets or receipts are already made up in stock. This would read substantially as follows:

' Cotperative Cash Discount Coupon.

Cash discount value of amount paid.)

Amount paid (Name and address of firm issuing coupon.)

This coupon is negotiable for the amount indicated in the space designated, Cash Discount Value which amount may be applied at the rate of for each worth of merchandise or other commodity purchased for cash at any store designated in our list of cooperative coupon inerchants. r

The small amount that it costs the various firms for handling these discount coupons Would more than be oifset by the stimulation of cash purchases and the directing 01 cash customers .to the different firms in the alliance of cooperative coupon merchants.

Having, thus described my invention What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is V A street car transfer for stimulating traffie during the hours of light travel composed of a body and a coupon connected thereto for issuance only during the hours of light travel, said coupon being detachable so as to enable removal ofthe same and thereby issuance of the transfer Without the coupon during the'hours of heavy travel, said coupon bearing data indicating a money value as a discount in the purchase of merchandise from certain indicated merchants and said transfer bearing data rendering the coupon valid only when attached to the transfer and When the transfer is not used as fare for continuous passage.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto setmy hand in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

WVILLIAM ANTHONY PROLE. lVitnesses:

G120. W. REED; R. L. OLIVER. 

